Unsolved Cases of Missing USC Students and the Tragedy of Mistaken Identity

The University of South Carolina (USC) community has been marked by the anguish of student disappearances and the horror of violence. This article delves into two separate cases: the unsolved disappearance of Shelton Sanders and the tragic murder of Samantha Josephson, highlighting the enduring impact on families, the community, and the push for legislative changes to enhance safety.

The Unresolved Disappearance of Shelton Sanders

The search continues for Shelton Sanders, a USC graduate student who went missing in 2001. On June 19, 2001, Shelton Sanders left his Sumter home to attend class at the University of South Carolina. After class, he spent time with a friend, Mark Richardson, in Northeast Columbia, planning a bachelor party. Shelton encountered car trouble and called his mother, Peggy Sanders, with whom he maintained open communication. However, Shelton did not return home that night and was declared missing the following day.

Frustration and a Glimmer of Hope

Two years later, investigators found Shelton’s car parked at Greenbrier Apartments near Parklane Road. His sister, Wilveria Sanders, remembers the joy her family felt in that moment. “I was just turning 13,” Wilveria said. “I remember that my parents were very happy. We thought that was going to be our justice.”

A Frustrated Investigation

Instead of justice, the family received more pain and confusion. Richland County deputies arrested Mark Richardson, allegedly the last person to see him alive, and charged him with murder. However, the 2008 trial resulted in a hung jury. “Five jurors were undecided because we didn’t have the remains of my brother’. That disappointed my family a lot. We thought that we were going to get a guilty verdict,” Wilveria said.

A Family's Unwavering Dedication

Wilveria believes that her brother is now dead, but she still hopes to receive closure with the case. “I’ve made it my passion and just deeply rooted in me to find out what happened to my brother. I’ve seen my parents go through this traumatizing experience for 24 years and that’s what my mission is. My mission is to search for my brother and get the justice we deserve.” The family is currently offering a $50,000 reward for any information that could lead to the discovery of Shelton. There is also a tipline, 803-427-4209, or you can call the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

The Tragic Murder of Samantha Josephson

Samantha Josephson, a student at the University of South Carolina, was murdered on March 29, 2019. The 21-year-old Josephson had ordered an Uber rideshare car and mistakenly entered a car that she thought was her ride. Nathaniel Rowland, the driver, used childproof locks to prevent Josephson from leaving the vehicle, then kidnapped and murdered her.

The Night of the Tragedy

Josephson spent the night before her death in the Five Points district in downtown Columbia with friends. At about 2 am she decided to leave the Bird Dog bar and ordered an Uber. According to surveillance footage, at 2:09, a black Chevrolet Impala, driven by Rowland, pulled up beside her. Josephson entered the vehicle, thinking it was her Uber driver.

The Brutal Attack

Using a two-bladed knife, Rowland inflicted roughly 120 stab wounds upon Josephson. During the attack, Josephson attempted to shield herself. One of Rowland's strikes went completely through her right hand, as she likely used it to protect herself. Rowland also stabbed Josephson in her head with enough force that the knife went through her skull to her brain. He also stabbed her in the carotid, one of two main arteries that carries blood to the head. Additionally, Josephson suffered a severed hyoid bone, as well as stab wounds to her face, neck, shoulder, torso, back, lung, leg, and feet. An autopsy showed that she died of multiple sharp force injuries. Specifically, the pathologist determined that she suffered approximately 120 separate stab wounds; the pathologist could not determine an exact number of wounds because there were so many.

The Investigation and Arrest

Josephson's roommates became concerned and reported her missing the day after she accidentally entered the vehicle. According to police, the area where Josephson's body was located is where Rowland recently resided. Nathaniel Rowland was seen by police driving a car that matched the description of the one Josephson was seen entering in the surveillance video. When Rowland, who was driving around the Five Points area where Josephson was kidnapped, was pulled over he got out of the car and ran away. When investigators searched the trash behind Rowland's girlfriend's residence, they uncovered cleaning supplies and a two-bladed knife, both of which had Josephson's blood on them. Josephson's blood was also found on a sock and a bandana, both owned by Rowland. Rowland was charged with kidnapping, murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. In addition to Josephson's murder, Rowland is alleged to have sold items that were stolen from another woman during a kidnapping in Columbia.

The Trial and Conviction

On July 20, 2021, Rowland's trial began. During the trial, prosecutors called 31 witnesses, including the turkey hunter who found Josephson's body, a cellphone store owner who testified that Rowland unsuccessfully attempted to sell him Josephson's phone the day after she went missing, Rowland's former girlfriend, and numerous State Law Enforcement Division investigators and other experts. On July 27, 2021, after just over one hour of deliberation, a jury found Rowland guilty of kidnapping and murdering Josephson, and of possessing a weapon during a violent crime. Immediately after Rowland's conviction, State Circuit Judge Clifton Newman sentenced him to life in prison.

Legislative Actions and Safety Measures

Josephson's murder attracted national attention and led to discussions about the dangers of ridesharing and the importance of ensuring that a rideshare car is being driven by a registered driver prior to entering. The crime shook Columbia, the state capital where the University of South Carolina is one of the main economic engines.

Sami's Law and Other Legislative Efforts

The murder led to the passage of Sami's Law in New Jersey, which enhances protections for drivers and passengers using rideshare services. After their daughter's death, Josephson's parents established the What's My Name Foundation. The foundation works to educate people about ride-share safety, along with supporting charitable foundations and awarding college scholarships. Josephson's parents have worked with lawmakers to advocate for policies that enhance safety for ride-share passengers.

On June 5, 2019, the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act was signed into law in South Carolina. The act requires ride-share vehicles to display license plate numbers on the front. The law also subjects people who misrepresent themselves as authorized transportation network company (TNC) drivers to a maximum US$500 fine, and those who use TNC ride-sharing application in the furtherance of criminal activity to a maximum $1,000 fine. Also in June 2019, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Sami's Law, which requires more identification on ride-share vehicles. Specifically, the law requires companies to issue two "credential placards" to drivers of ride-share vehicles. These placards, which are to be placed on the driver and passenger side back windows, must have the driver's name and photo, along with their license plate number. Ride-share vehicles must also have an identifying marker on the front windshield and back window. Josephson's murder prompted lawmakers in North Carolina to propose the Passenger Protection Act. The act requires ride-share drivers to display a printed license plate number on the front of their vehicles and, as of July 1, 2020, to have illuminated signs on their vehicles. The act creates a new criminal penalty for impersonating a ride-share driver, and makes assaulting a ride-share driver a misdemeanor. In April 2019, Senator Anna Kaplan introduced the Samantha L. Josephson Ridesharing Safety Act. Josephson's parents have worked with lawmakers in the United States Congress to craft a federal law to enhance ride-share safety. The bill, which is also titled "Sami's Law," was introduced on June 13, 2019. It requires ride-share vehicles to have front license plates and illuminated windshield signs along with scannable or quick-response codes on the sides. States that do not comply would be penalized by losing 1% of federal highway funding. The law would also establish a 15-member advisory council, called SAMI's Council, which would be made of federal agency and public stakeholders. The Council would report to the Secretary of Transportation and work to advance safety standards in the rideshare industry.

USC's Commitment to Student Safety

USC supports the health and safety of all students. Any member of the USC community who believes that a student is missing should immediately notify the Department of Public Safety (DPS) or the Assistant Provost for Student Affairs, Support and Advocacy. Each student who resides on-campus or in university-owned housing has the option to confidentially register contact information for an individual or individuals to be contacted no later than 24 hours following an official determination by DPS, in consultation with Student Affairs, that the student is missing. If DPS, in consultation with Student Affairs, makes an official determination that an on-campus resident or student residing in university-owned housing has been missing for more than 24 hours, USC will, within 24 hours following such determination, notify the individual or individuals the missing student has confidentially registered with the university pursuant to this policy. If the missing student is under 18 years old and is not an emancipated minor, the university will notify the student’s custodial parent or guardian immediately upon making the determination that the student is missing. Student Support and Advocacy (Student Affairs - Crisis Management Team) and DPS work together closely to locate missing persons.

The Disappearance and Death of Donaven Dempsey

The University of South Carolina experienced another tragedy with the disappearance of 18-year-old Donaven Dempsey, a freshman. Dempsey’s body was recovered from the Congaree River. The Columbia Police Department confirmed that no foul play is suspected, though the cause and manner of death have not yet been released. Dempsey, a theatre major from Spartanburg with a deep passion for the arts, was last seen after taking an Uber from his hometown to Columbia. He was reportedly last seen in the area of Gervais Street. McCorvey reported Dempsey missing to authorities after hours of no contact. McCorvey later found a note among Dempsey’s belongings that suggested his disappearance may have been intentional. His father and aunt said Donovan may be struggling with the 2 year anniversary of his mother’s death, especially around Mother’s Day. The University of South Carolina released a statement following the news of his death: “We continue to hope for the best and our thoughts and prayers are with Donaven’s friends and family during this difficult time.”

Read also: The Josephson Tragedy

tags: #usc #student #missing #cases